straw that broke the camel's back

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That translated into a surge in jet fuel prices that proved to be "the straw that broke the camel's back," said Jan Brueckner, emeritus economics professor at the University of California, Irvine.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

So it is impossible to know for sure what was the straw that broke the camel's back to lead to this decision being taken now.

From BBC • Jul. 9, 2025

“I think this is the straw — the Max 9 grounding — is probably the straw that broke the camel’s back for us,” he told CNBC.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 23, 2024

“I think the straw that broke the camel’s back was publicly saying things about another member in terms that no one should,” he said.

From Washington Times • Jul. 6, 2023

But I think the power threatening to go out was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman